Vapor condensing device



March 23, 1937. E, N WOOD 2,074,350

VAPOR CONDENS ING DEVICE Filed March 22, 1935 INVENTOR. Evere# /Z Woud ATTORNEY.

Patented Mu. za, 19a-1v l UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE ani-:4.350 varon coNnENsmG nEvrcE Events N.' wood. mun city, In"

.application ma zz, 19:5, serial No. 12,421

9 claims. (cl. :s1-z5)- The present invention relates to devices for condensing vapors, and more particularly to those arising in the cooling systems of internal comv bustion motors and the like, and especially in I the cases of using anti-freezing solutions having lower boiling points than water. The heat from the internal combustion motor raises the temperature of the cooling liquid sufllciently that some of the liquid becomes lost by l vaporizing, the vapors ordinarily passing out through the overflow pipe. That necessitates frequent replenishment. This is especially so during the cold months when the cooling uid contains the anti-freezing components such as Il alcohol or the like, the anti-freezing component vaporizing very readily.

The present invention comprehends the provision of a novel device for condensing such vapors and returning the condensate to the body 20 of the cooling liquid, thus preventing or reducing to a minimum loss of the vapors.

-In the specific embodiment selected to illustrate the invention the vapors pass upwardly into the condensing device by way of a plurality of 26 tortuous paths, or passages, whereby the vapor may be subjected to an extended cooling surface so as to be thoroughly condensed or converted to a liquid state, the liquid or condensate then flowing back through the vapor inlet and into the 80 body of the cooling fluid or liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for acting as a vapor lock or trap so located between the overflow pipe and the vapor outlet side of the condensing device as to pre- 85 vent free escape of the vapors and to prevent a too rapid movement of the vapors in the condensing part of the condensing device thus affording an eiflcient conversion of the vapor into liquid in the condensing device.

40 A further object of the invention is to provide a novel condensing device having cooling means vsuch as iins, projections or the like for absorptionof heat. f

The invention also comprehends novel means 45 for preventing complete removal of the condensing means.

Other objects, capabilities, advantages, features and the like are comprehended by the invention as will later appear and as are inherently possessed by the invention.

Referring to the drawing;

Fig. l is a view in perspective of a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

55 Fig. 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the same mounted on a vehicle radiator:

Fig. 3 is a bottom vplan view of the device;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken in a plane represented by line 4 4 in Fig. 2 of the drawing;

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of a side of the inside of the device; and.

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the opposite side;

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the device selected to illustrate the invention is shown in connection with an automotive vehicle radiator shell I connected in any suitable manner to the front end of the hood 2. The shell I has an opening in which is located the upper end ofa radiator flller neck 3 the lower end of which is connected to and communicates with the radiator top tank 4. In the neck 3 and tank v l is located a portion of the usual overflow pipe 5.

The condensing device comprises generally two members 6 and 1 which are made of suitable heat conducting material such as metal, the members 6 and 1 having base portions E and 1. These parts may be united in any suitable manner as by soldering, brazing, welding, etc. The outside walls of the members 6 and 1 are provided with heat radiating or heat absorbing ns 24 so arranged or disposed as to permit a flow of air through the spaces between the ns when the vehicle is moving. The inner walls of the members 6 and 1 are provided with baiiles 23 and 22 respectively which may be of any form such as flns, walls, projections or the like. These ballles are disposed at dierent angles so that the baiiies of one part will cross the bailles of the other part as is clearly shown in Fig. 2, thus providing for a multitude of tortuous passages or paths from the channels between a set of bailles, to and into the channels between the other set of bailles, the edges of one set being proximate to or contacting with the edges of the other set at the crossing points, or may even be united at the crossing points in any suitable manner.

At the lower ends of the battles 22k and 23 are provided'openings 25 for the relief of any sediment which might gather in the condenser so that the sediment may be carried down with the condensate to' and through the port 20 and into the interior of the radiator.

It will be noted that the chamber of the condenser has an inclined lower wall 26 which also constitutes the upper wall of the return passage portion 21, and an upwardly inclined end wall 28 which constitutes the inner wall of the return passage portion 29. These passage portions 29 and 21 taper toward the outlet I8. It also will "be noted that the wall 2t is not parallel to the upper wall 3l of the condenser body and hence the cross-sectional area of the chamber varies from its Inlet to its outlet. In other words the device 5 broadly is a passage having portions which vary or change in cross-sectional area the rate of changein one portion being diiieren't from that in another portion.

To the base 3*-1 is secured a ller cap clip l 3 by any suitable means such as screws, rivets. etc.

together with an interposed gasket It and a sealing or compression ring I! o! yieldable material such as rubber or the like. Registering apertures are provided in the clip 3, gasket I t and the base l oi' the condenser to form a vapor e 20 for the entry of the vapor from the upper part of the radiator into the chamber provided in the condensing device between the parts t and l.

A keeping means may be used to prevent the complete removal of the condensing device when it is moved in open position to pour in some oi the cooling liquid when replenishing or otherwise. This means comprises a resilient member I2 whichmaybecurvedtoasizeastopermitit to pass through the opening in the upper end oi the neck 3, and then permitted to expand to press against the inner wall ot the neck 3. To the spring clip I2 is connected a ilexible member I3, such as a cable, chain or the like, the member I3 being connected swivelly at I1 tc the cap clip 8 as shown in F18. 5. To bring the spring clip I2 into locking position, the cable or4 `chain I3 is pulled upwardly to cause the spring clip I2 toy slide upwardly into the annular space or recess provided under the inturned lip or flange 3- formed at the upper end of the nlling neck 3. the spring clip I2 pressing outwardly against the inner surface o! the upper end oi the neck 3 to frlctionally hold the clip I2 in place as shown in Fig. 2. The cable or chain I3 is sufllciently long to permit the opening of the neck 3 when raising the condensing device. the base 6*-1 acting as the closing 'cap for the neck 3 and taking the place of the usual closing cap. The base is connected in the usual way, that is, by the same means as is usually used to connect the `usual closure cap, which in this case, is replaced by the condenser base.

To the condenser base is connected an outlet nipple I3 for the discharge oi' vapors it any succeed in posing, without condensation between the walls el' the condensing device. into the passage 2I formed in the condensing device.

To the nipple It is connected a ilexible duct 9, such as a rubber hose or the like, by a spring clip or clamp I4, the other end of the duct being likewise connected by a spring clip or clamp Il* to an endoi'afltting Il securedtotheupperendofthe overow pipe l by means of a coupling Il having ooapacking Il. Theductllssumcientlylongto. permit the raising of the condenser when pouring in a liquid. and also to form a trap ll when'the condenser is in closed position. This trap will serve as a vapor seal or trap when it contains a liquid condensate to prevent passage oi' the vapors that may pass through the condenser, if any succeed in passing. Moreover it serves the purpose of holding back the rate of flow of the vapors through the condensing device thus preventing the vapors, from passing too rapidly.

Such retardation of the vapors will ailord complete and emcient condensation so that there will be no escape oi' vapors. 'I'he condenser is so designed as to condense all the vapors that may be 7a formed under the usual conditions, but should the motor become unduly overheated, some vapors may pass and condense in the trap 3* to form a liquid seal against the loss of vapors in the overilow pipe 5. 'Ihis increases the emciency o! the device.

In operation. whatever vapors that are formed will pass up through the passage 2l into the spaces between the bailes 22 and 23, and will move' slowly in tortuous paths or passages toward the upper rear part oi' the condenser. 'Ihe air ilowing by the exterior cooling means 2l will cause a cooling of the -bailles 22 and 23 and hence the vapors passing tortuously and slowly in the condenser, will be cooled and condensed. The vapors condense and collect at the lower portions of the channels formed between the bames 22 and 23 to ilow back to the passage 20 to return to the liquid in the upper part of the radiator.

While I have herein disclosed an illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the latter is not limited thereto but comprehends other constructions, details, arrangements oi' parts, features and the like, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus disclosed the invention.

I claim:

1. A vapor condensing device comprising a body provided with a series of criss-crossing baming elements to produce a tortuous passage for the movement therein of the vapors to be condensed, and cooling means on the body for absorbing heat.

2. A condensing device for condensing vapors comprising a body having a chamber in which are crisscrossing battling means so arranged and constructed as to provide a plurality of tortuous passages i'or the vapors.

3. A condensing device for condensing vapor's comprising -a body having a chamber in which are oppositely disposed bailling means at an angle to each other and crossing at a plurality of points to provide a plurality oi tortuous passages for the vapors. .l

4. A condensing device i'or condensing vapors comprising a body having a chamber in which are oppositely disposed bailiing means at an angle to each other and crossing at a plurality of points to provide a plurality oi' tortuous' passages i'or the vapors, and cooling vmeans on said body for absorbing heat.

5. A condensing device for condensing vapors comprising a body having a chamber on the opposite walls of which-are located bailling means with the means on one wall at an angle to they means of the other wall to provide a tortuous e for the vapors, theedges ot the means oi' one wall crossing at spaced points the edges of the means oi' the other wall.

6. A condensing device for -condensing vapors comprising a body having a chamber on the opposite walls oi' which are located baming means with the means on one wall at an angle tothe means oi' the other wall to provide a tortuous passage for the vapors, the edges of the means of one wall crossing at spaced points the edges of themeans oi' the other wall, and cooling means on said body for absorbing hea` 7. A condensing device for condensing vapors arising from a body oi' cooling liquid for an internal combustion motor having a radiator and overflow pipe. comprising a body having a chamber provided with an inlet and anL outlet, and a ilexible duct connected with said outlet and with the overflow pipe for'preventing escape of vapors from said body oi.' liquid in said radiator.

8. A condensing device tor condensing vapors arising from a body 0f cooling liquid for an interna] combustion motor having a radiator and overiiow pipe, comprising a body having a chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet, and a ilexible duct connected with said outlet and with the overflow pipe for preventing escape of vapors from said body of liquid in said radiator, said connecting means having means for controlling the rate of movement of the vapor in said chamber to obtain effective condensation.

9. In a condensing device for vapors arising from a body of cooling liquid for an internal combustion motor having a radiator provided with e. lling opening at the top, a keeping means having a exible connecting member connected to said condensing device and a resilient member connected to said flexible connecting member, said radiator having an inturned flange at said filling opening, said resilient member being contractible' for insertion through said filling opening and expansible for pressing contact with the side walls o! the radiator beneath said inturned flange whereby said resilient member engages said iiange when said condenser is raised to limit the extent of raising said condenser.

N. WOOD.

CERTIFICATE oF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,074,350.

March 23, 1937.

EVERETT N. WOOD.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Page 3 first column, lines 4 and 5, claim 8, for the words "a flexible duct" read means; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this Correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of May, A. D. 1937.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents.

arising from a body 0f cooling liquid for an interna] combustion motor having a radiator and overiiow pipe, comprising a body having a chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet, and a ilexible duct connected with said outlet and with the overflow pipe for preventing escape of vapors from said body of liquid in said radiator, said connecting means having means for controlling the rate of movement of the vapor in said chamber to obtain effective condensation.

9. In a condensing device for vapors arising from a body of cooling liquid for an internal combustion motor having a radiator provided with e. lling opening at the top, a keeping means having a exible connecting member connected to said condensing device and a resilient member connected to said flexible connecting member, said radiator having an inturned flange at said filling opening, said resilient member being contractible' for insertion through said filling opening and expansible for pressing contact with the side walls o! the radiator beneath said inturned flange whereby said resilient member engages said iiange when said condenser is raised to limit the extent of raising said condenser.

N. WOOD.

CERTIFICATE oF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,074,350.

March 23, 1937.

EVERETT N. WOOD.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Page 3 first column, lines 4 and 5, claim 8, for the words "a flexible duct" read means; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this Correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of May, A. D. 1937.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

